The Synergy of AI and Web3: How Animoca Brands and IoTeX Are Pioneering Real-World AI Integration

The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and Web3 is no longer a speculative concept—it is a rapidly materializing reality. At the forefront of this transformation is a strategic partnership between Animoca Brands and IoTeX, two industry leaders redefining how AI systems interact with verifiable real-world data. By leveraging decentralized infrastructure, these entities are unlocking new frontiers in AI adoption, from autonomous mobility networks to smart energy systems. For investors, this collaboration represents a rare opportunity to capitalize on the intersection of AI, blockchain, and identity infrastructure—sectors poised for explosive growth in the coming decade.

The Strategic Alignment: Animoca Brands and IoTeX's Vision

IoTeX, a blockchain platform designed to connect smart devices with real-world data, has emerged as a critical enabler of Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN). Its network currently supports 40 million connected devices across industries like mobility, robotics, energy, and healthcare. By integrating AI with this infrastructure, IoTeX allows systems to process and act on real-time, verifiable data—critical for applications such as autonomous vehicles or predictive maintenance in industrial settings.

Animoca Brands, a Web3 powerhouse with over 540 portfolio companies, has taken a bold step by becoming both a network validator and ecosystem partner for IoTeX. This dual role not only injects capital into IoTeX but also secures the blockchain's infrastructure, enhancing its decentralization and trustworthiness. Animoca's validator status ensures the network's integrity, while its ecosystem expertise accelerates the development of AI-driven applications. The partnership is a masterstroke: IoTeX gains institutional credibility and resources, while Animoca expands its influence in Asia—a region already a global hub for AI and blockchain innovation.

Financial and Market Catalysts for Growth

The partnership's potential is underscored by robust financial metrics. IoTeX secured a $50 million funding round in 2024, led by top-tier investors like SNZ Capital and Foresight Ventures, with proceeds directed toward staked $IOTX and DePIN expansion. Meanwhile, Animoca Brands has raised $918 million in total funding and holds $2.9 billion in off-balance sheet token reserves, including tokens from its Web3 subsidiaries. These reserves, such as SAND (The Sandbox) and MOCA (Moca Network), are poised to appreciate as the platforms scale, offering long-term value to investors.

The data is compelling: IoTeX's staked value surged 73% quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2024, with node rewards rising 71% to $3.3 million. This reflects strong community engagement and network health, critical for sustaining growth. Animoca's Q4 2024 financials further validate its trajectory, with $108 million in bookings—a 170% YoY increase—driven by its Digital Asset Advisory (DAA) business and Web3 operations.

The AI/Web3 Ecosystem: A $400 Trillion Opportunity

The broader market context is equally promising. The tokenized real-world assets (RWA) market, where Animoca's NUVA platform operates, is projected to reach $400 trillion in total addressable value. With $26.5 billion in tokenized assets as of 2025, the sector is growing at 70% YoY, driven by demand for private credit and U.S. Treasurys. Ethereum dominates this space with a 55% market share, but multichain interoperability—exemplified by IoTeX's EVM-compatible Moca Chain—will be key to long-term success.

While Web3 funding slowed in 2025, infrastructure and AI-driven projects like IoTeX and Animoca's 0G Labs (a modular AI chain) continue to attract capital. 0G Labs, for instance, raised $35 million in a pre-seed round, aiming to deliver AI chains 50,000 times faster than competitors. Such innovations highlight the sector's potential to disrupt traditional tech paradigms.

Why Invest Now: Strategic Infrastructure as a Foundation

For investors, the case for immediate action is clear. Projects at the intersection of AI, blockchain, and identity infrastructure are not just speculative—they are foundational to the next phase of digital transformation. IoTeX's modular AI+DePIN framework and Animoca's ecosystem-building prowess create a flywheel effect: verifiable data fuels AI models, which in turn drive demand for decentralized infrastructure.

Consider the implications for smart energy systems or autonomous mobility networks. IoTeX's ability to process real-time data from 40 million devices enables AI systems to optimize energy grids or manage traffic flows with unprecedented precision. These use cases are not hypothetical; they are being piloted today.

Risk Mitigation and Long-Term Value

Critics may question the scalability of DePIN or the regulatory risks of tokenized assets. However, IoTeX's validator model and Animoca's institutional-grade governance (e.g., appointing Hall Chadwick as auditor) mitigate these concerns. Moreover, the $84.1 billion raised in Web3 in 2025—despite a 30% decline from 2024—demonstrates that institutional capital remains committed to infrastructure projects with clear utility.

Conclusion: A Call to Action for Forward-Thinking Investors

The partnership between Animoca Brands and IoTeX is more than a strategic alliance—it is a blueprint for the future of AI and Web3. By anchoring AI systems in verifiable real-world data, they are addressing one of the technology's most persistent challenges: trust. For investors, this represents a golden opportunity to back projects that are not only technologically groundbreaking but also economically resilient.

The time to act is now. As the AI/Web3 ecosystem matures, early adopters of infrastructure projects like IoTeX and Animoca's Moca Chain will reap outsized rewards. In a world where data is the new oil, the ability to verify and monetize it will define the next decade of innovation—and those who invest today will be the ones shaping tomorrow.